Greeting Ceremony upon Return:
The following is an announcement from Lummi on the upcoming Totem Pole Journey event at Northwest Indian College and at Cherry Point. All events and activities are open to the public. This is an important event for Lummi Nation and we strongly encourage you to show your support by attending both events.
Totem Pole Journey to Fight Big Coal
The Kwel hoy’ Totem Pole Journey is a 1,700-mile, 16-day trip following the coal train rail lines from the Powder River Basin to British Columbia. The Journey-Goal is to raise awareness of the cultural, spiritual, social, and environmental consequences of the proposed transport, storage, and shipment of coal on Pacific Northwest Communities.
FROM LUMMI NATION – JOIN US IN WELCOMING AND BLESSING THIS SACRED JOURNEY!
WHEN: Friday, September 27, 2013
12:00 noon – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Northwest Indian College – Parking available on-campus – www.nwic.edu (Parking Lot behind St. Joachim Church)
AGENDA:
- Meet & Greet Carvers
- Invocation, Al Scott Johnny
- Welcome by Candice Wilson, Vice Chair, Lummi Indian Business Council, & Justin Guillory, NWIC President
- Blessing Song by Solomon Family
- Interfaith Solidarity Statement, Deborah Cruz and Rev. Karen Bloomquist
- Lummi Fisherman: Jay Julius, Elden Hillaire, Larry & Ellie Kinley, John Felix, Vernon Lane II, Rena Priest
4:30PM – Leave NWIC and Caravan with Totem Pole for a Blessing at Xwe’chi’eXen (Cherry Point)
5:00PM – Blessing Ceremony and Water Ceremony
6:30 PM – Depart from Cherry Point
Driving directions to Northwest Indian College: Head West on Slater Road (Towards Barleans Seafood). Left on Haxton Way. Left on Kwina Rd. Parking on both sides.
Driving Directions to Xwe chi’eXen: Head West on Slater Road (Towards Barleans Seafood). Right on Lake Terrell Road. Left on Mountain View Road. Follow Y to the right on Rainbow Road. Follow Straight, it turns into Henry Road. Left on Gulf Road/Powder Plant Road. Parking Attendants On-Site
NPR will be there to document the gathering.
Our most recent stop was Otter Creek, Montana where a proposed coal strip mine could allow approximately 1.3 billion tons of coal to be mined and burned. If approved, the Otter Creek coal tracts will have profound and unavoidable impacts on the agriculture, wildlife, water quality, and cultural significance of the Otter Creek Valley. We had an incredible stop and ceremony with the local people there.
The Full Schedule of the journey:
Wednesday, 18 September, 10am: Northern Cheyenne blessing at Otter Creek
Thursday, 19 September, 3pm: ceremony in Missoula
Friday, 20 September, 11am-12pm: Spokane blessing and event
Saturday, 21 September: Celilo Village (tribal only)
Monday, 23 September, 5pm: Portland ceremony
Tuesday, 24 September, 12pm noon: Olympia ceremony
Wednesday, 25 September, 11am-1pm: Tacoma/Seattle ceremony
Friday, 27 September, 12noon: Northwest Indian College event
Friday, 27 September: Xwe’chi’eXen/Cherry Point blessing
Sunday, 29 September: Tsleil-Waututh blessing in British Columbia
The following comments are posted by Lisa McShane HERE where you can follow the journey.
Sunday morning at dawn the Totem Pole and witnesses left Northwest Indian College, headed east, towards the coal mines of Montana.
The Totem Pole and witnesses reached Coeur d’Alene just in time for a big storm to hit. They’re on their way. This is a people powered project and it wouldn’t happen without you. Literally – thanks for helping purchase more straps, a jack and tie downs to keep the Totem Pole secure on the truck.
Please share with friends and family – they’ve got more miles to cover today!
Wild Horse Monument near Vantage
